Catholic Bishops Raise Concerns Over Muslim-Muslim Ticket, Urge Tinubu to Reassure Christians

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address concerns among Christians over the country’s current political arrangement, particularly following the departure from the traditional Christian-Muslim presidential balance.

The bishops made the call during a courtesy visit to President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where the President of the CBCN, Archbishop Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, presented an address on behalf of the conference.

The clerics said many Christians had legitimate concerns about their place in Nigeria and urged the President to introduce policies that would reassure them of their rights as equal citizens.
“This is a time when many Christians have legitimate concerns about their place in Nigeria, especially regarding the departure from the Christian/Muslim presidency,” the bishops said, calling on the administration to take deliberate steps to address the concerns.
The CBCN also expressed worries over what it described as a shrinking political space and the possibility of Nigeria drifting towards a one-party state.

While acknowledging Tinubu’s contribution to Nigeria’s democratic development, the bishops urged him to ensure that members of the ruling party uphold fairness and provide a level playing field for all political actors.
They warned that the credibility of the 2027 general elections would be crucial to the country’s stability, stressing that Nigerians must be allowed to choose their leaders through a transparent and credible process

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According to the bishops, growing dissatisfaction with the electoral system could have serious consequences if voters lose confidence in the process.
They urged the President to ensure that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) delivers free, fair and credible elections, beginning with easy access to Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and ending with results that reflect the wishes of Nigerians.

On insecurity, the bishops commended the Federal Government for the rescue of kidnapped schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State and the arrest of some suspects linked to the crime.
However, they described such successes as isolated, saying terrorism, banditry and kidnapping remained major threats across the country.

The bishops lamented that schools, worship centres, homes, farms and highways were still unsafe in many parts of Nigeria.
They also raised concerns over worsening economic hardship, citing rising living costs, poor electricity supply, deteriorating infrastructure and insecurity as challenges affecting Nigerians.

“The nation is bleeding. The citizens are suffering and crying,” the bishops said, urging the government to take concrete actions beyond assurances.
The CBCN, however, praised the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) initiative, describing it as a positive development for young Nigerians seeking access to education.
The bishops also expressed concern over the restriction on the establishment of new private universities by the National Universities Commission, warning that the decision could further limit access to higher education.

They appealed to President Tinubu to invite Pope Leo XIV to Nigeria, saying such a visit would promote prayers, peace and national unity.
The bishops further renewed their call for the return of mission schools to their original owners and urged the government to guarantee equal protection of religious freedom across the country.
Referencing the Supreme Court judgment of February 10, 2026, which affirmed the right of Muslim students at Rivers State University to freedom of religion and worship, the CBCN called for similar protection for Christians, especially in northern Nigeria.
They alleged that some Christians in parts of the North still face difficulties in acquiring land for churches and practising their faith freely, urging the Federal Government to ensure equal treatment for all religious groups.